The F-35 procurement by Switzerland is the result of a complex interplay of Federal Councillors, senior military officers, armaments officials, parliamentarians, and civil society organizations. This page documents the key actors, their roles, and -- where verifiable -- the discrepancy between public statements and the subsequent factual situation.
Role: Lead Federal Councillor for the F-35 type decision and the contract signing. Politically led the Air2030 program from evaluation to the commitment credit. [1]
Resignation: Stepped down from the Federal Council effective 31 March 2025. Amherd cited personal reasons; she did not mention Air2030/F-35 as a reason for her resignation. [2]
Fact Check -- Fixed Price Guarantee:
| Statement (2022) | Factual Situation (2025) |
|---|---|
| "We have a fixed price, and I am glad about it precisely in view of inflation." [3] | USA demands CHF 0.65--1.3 billion in additional costs due to inflation. [4] |
| "If we can't sign now, the price will suddenly look different." [3] | Despite signing in Sept. 2022, USA demands additional costs in 2025. [5] |
| "It says so in the contracts -- and was recently confirmed by the US Ambassador." [3] | USA writes Feb. 2025: Fixed price was a "misunderstanding." FMS contracts exclude legal recourse. [6] |
Role: Successor to Viola Amherd. Took over the DDPS dossier amid F-35 cost overruns. [7]
Measures: Federal Council decided in December 2025 under Pfister: Budget ceiling of CHF 6 billion remains, no additional credits, presumably fewer than 36 jets (estimated 24--30 units). [8]
Role: Highest-ranking military officer in Switzerland during the F-35 evaluation and contract signing. Took office on 1 January 2020. [9]
Resignation: Announced his resignation on 30 January 2025, a few weeks after Amherd. [10]
Role: Successor to Suessli. Takes over the operational implementation of the F-35 procurement including the reduced quantity. [11]
Role: Successor to Peter "Baebi" Merz as Air Force Commander. Responsible for the integration of the F-35A into the Swiss Air Force. [12]
Role: Led the operational flight tests and the technical evaluation of candidates during Air2030. From October 2017 to end of 2020 Project Manager New Combat Aircraft (NKF), from January 2021 responsible for Air2030, from July 2021 to September 2025 Commander of the Air Force. Central military figure of the F-35 procurement. [13]
Departure: Left the armed forces at the end of September 2025 and became CEO of air navigation service provider Skyguide -- at a time when the F-35 project entered its most severe crisis to date.
Fact Check -- Promises vs. Reality:
| Topic | Statement by Merz | Factual Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Costs | "The F-35A is the most capable and at the same time most cost-effective combat aircraft." (LinkedIn, March 2025) [53] | Fixed price collapsed: +CHF 650 million to 1.3 billion in additional costs. Quantity reduced to approx. 30. Operating costs guaranteed for only 10 years. US maintenance costs +44% (GAO). [4][5][54] |
| Operating Costs | All other combat aircraft are "not only qualitatively inferior, but also more expensive in procurement and operation." [53] | Engine upgrade (ECU) not included in purchase price -- approx. CHF 430 million in additional costs. GAO: >USD 30,000 per flight hour. [55][56] |
| Availability | Low MC rates of the US fleet are "not relevant" for Switzerland, as newer jets perform better. [57] | MC rate F-35A fell from 69% (2021) to 51.5% (2024) -- also for newer aircraft. FMC rate only 36.4%. CBO (June 2025): F-35 availability "lower, in some cases significantly lower" than other jets of the same age. [45][58] |
| Data Control | "We have the data under control." (Hinwil, 07.11.2021) [59] | ALIS/ODIN dependency: All mission data goes to Lockheed Martin servers in Fort Worth. No source code access. No legal recourse in disputes. [59][6] |
| Sovereignty | "All Western combat aircraft use American technologies." Europe and Switzerland are "dependent on the USA anyway." [53] | Correct, but misleading: With the F-35, the dependency is far deeper than with Rafale or Eurofighter, which allow national maintenance and software modifications. Trump tariffs (39%) and additional cost demands demonstrate the real leverage. [60] |
| Technology | "The only aircraft type that is technologically relevant today and in the near future." Europe is "20 to 30 years behind." [53] | Block 4 capabilities delayed by at least 5 years (not until 2031). 174 jets delivered in non-combat-capable "truncated TR-3" configuration. [47] |
| Debacle | "The procurement is not a debacle!" (NZZ, 12.09.2025) [61] | Three months later: Federal Council decides on quantity reduction because fixed price collapsed. [8] |
Sources: Watson [53], Tages-Anzeiger [53], Zueriost [59], NZZ [61]
Role: Head of the Security Policy Division at DDPS. Responsible for the strategic embedding of the procurement in the security policy context. [14]
Note: Pulli is not Secretary General of DDPS (this office was held by Toni Eder, 2019--2023).
Role: Director of the Federal Intelligence Service. The FIS threat analyses fed into the justification of the Air2030 program. Resigned on 20 January 2025. [10]
Role: Responsible armaments chief during the contract signing on 19 September 2022. Co-signed the FMS contract together with project manager Darko Savic. [15]
Retirement: August 2023 -- one year after the contract signing, before the consequences became visible.
Fact Check:
| Topic | Statement / Action | Factual Situation |
|---|---|---|
| EFK Warning | armasuisse under Sonderegger accused the EFK of "substantially endangering the interests of the Confederation" (July 2022) [22] | The EFK was entirely correct: No enforceable fixed price. Former EFK Director Huissoud: Clarification would have been possible "in one hour." [62] |
| Fixed Price Clause | Media release on the contract signing spoke of a "specific clause and separate declaration establishing the fixed-price character." [63] | The clause proved to be unreliable. USA describes the fixed price as a "misunderstanding." [6] |
| Contract Signing | Signed on 19.09.2022 despite the EFK warning from May 2022. [15][21] | armasuisse had between May and September 2022 to clarify the fixed-price uncertainty directly with the US side -- but did not. [62] |
Role: Led the F-35 procurement project at armasuisse from evaluation until shortly before the additional costs became known. Co-signed the contract on 19 September 2022. [15]
Departure: Announced his move to Pilatus on 8 January 2025 -- shortly before the full extent of the cost overruns became public. [17]
Conflict of Interest: Pilatus is a direct beneficiary of the F-35 procurement as an offset recipient with access to F-35 technology. Savic had co-signed the offset agreements. [64][65]
Fact Check -- Three Central False Statements:
| Statement by Savic (2021) | Factual Situation (2025) |
|---|---|
| "We benefit from fixed prices in the F-35A procurement, and inflation is also factored into these fixed prices." [66] | USA has described the fixed price as a "misunderstanding" since Feb. 2025. Inflation is charged to Switzerland. [6] |
| "We have binding offers. There will be no additional costs." [66] | Additional costs of CHF 650 million to 1.3 billion confirmed. Quantity reduced to approx. 30. [4][8] |
| "These types of risks [inflation] are not on our side." [66] | Contract clause 4.4.1 states the opposite: The buyer bears the costs even in case of overruns. [66] |
Sources: Republik [66], SRF [17], cockpit.aero [64]
Role: Successor to Sonderegger. Took over the procurement during the phase of emerging cost overruns. [16]
Fact Check -- Promises vs. Reality:
| Topic | Statement by Loher | Factual Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Opinions | Commissioned two legal opinions (law firm Homburger, US law firm) that confirmed the fixed price. "That settled the matter." (NZZ, 26.07.2025) [67] | The legal opinions proved inadequate. Prof. Peter V. Kunz: "Even an intern at Homburger should have recognized that the Americans understand something different by fixed price." [68] |
| Own Doubts | "For me, it was a mystery how Switzerland could have obtained such special conditions from the Americans." (NZZ, 26.07.2025) [67] | Did not know of a single precedent for a fixed price in an FMS deal. Nevertheless did not seek direct clarification with the US side. [67] |
| Contractual Fidelity | "A contract is a contract, one would think." (Press conference, 25.06.2025) [69] | US Defense Secretary Hegseth personally informed Pfister: USA will not budge. Fixed price is off the table. (Watson, 13.08.2025) [70] |
| More Functionalities | "Switzerland is receiving more functionalities than ordered." (Press conference, 12.12.2025) [71] | Deflection: Additional costs arose from inflation/raw materials, not additional features. Block 4 capabilities delayed by years. [71] |
| No Naivety | "We were not naive." (SRF Samstagsrundschau, 05.07.2025) [72] | When directly asked whether he knew of other contracts where the supplier assumed all risks: "No." [72] |
| Contract Withdrawal | Described contract withdrawal as "the very last option." The F-35 is "militarily absolutely necessary." (25.06.2025) [69] | Switzerland has no leverage: Already paid CHF 650 million, one billion by end of 2025. No legal recourse. [69] |
Information Flow: First US signals about additional costs in August 2024 during Loher's visit. Written notification in February 2025. Concrete amount only in mid-June 2025. GPK-N decided on 01.07.2025 to launch an inspection on the question of whether the Federal Council and parliamentary oversight were correctly informed. [35][66]
Sources: NZZ [67][69], Tages-Anzeiger [68], SRF [72], Watson [70]
Role: Successor to Darko Savic as F-35 procurement program manager. Colonel i Gst (General Staff), previously chief of staff and deputy commander of the Land Forces. [18]
Public Communication: Forrer has not made any publicly quotable statements since taking office in April 2025. Communication was handled by Armaments Chief Loher and Federal Councillor Pfister. This can be interpreted as deliberate restraint in a politically toxic situation.
Fact Check -- armasuisse on Inflation (institutional responsibility):
| Statement (2021) | Factual Situation (2025) |
|---|---|
| "Inflation is already factored in; such risks are not on the Swiss side." [19] | DSCA justifies the 2025 cost increase explicitly with inflation and rising raw material prices. [20] |
Role: Under Huissoud, the EFK published Report 21410 on 18 May 2022 with the central warning: "No legal certainty for a fixed price in the sense of a lump-sum price under Swiss jurisprudence." [21]
DDPS Reaction: The DDPS vehemently rejected the EFK recommendation, describing it as endangering the "interests of the Confederation." [22]
Confirmation 2025: The EFK warnings of 2022 proved to be entirely correct. SVP National Councillor Thomas Hurter conceded in 2025: "The EFK was right." [23]
Retrospective by Huissoud (2025): armasuisse would have had time after the May 2022 EFK report to clarify the uncertainty -- "that could have been done in one hour." Instead, armasuisse signed the contract in September 2022 without any adjustment. [62]
Role: Committee spokesperson of the Security Policy Committee of the National Council (SiK-N). Central parliamentary voice for the F-35 procurement. [23] [24]
Fact Check -- Promises vs. Reality:
| Topic | Statement by Hurter | Factual Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Urgency | Warned on 15.09.2022 that delays in contract signing would lead to inflation-related additional costs: The F-35 was in a production slot. [24] | The contract was signed on schedule -- the additional costs came anyway. The urgency argument was a specious argument. [4][5] |
| EFK Attack | Announced in 2022 a motion to privatize the EFK. Criticized the EFK Director as "rather political and insufficiently substantive." [73] | Conceded in 2025: "We now know that the EFK was right regarding the fixed price issue." [23] |
| Own Doubts Suppressed | "I had my doubts, but we couldn't verify it. Every time someone asked, the DDPS reacted almost aggressively: 'It's a fixed price, stop asking questions.'" (NZZ, 03.09.2025) [74] | The fixed price was not a fixed price. Hurter's own doubts were suppressed in favor of the DDPS narrative. |
| US Dependency | Conceded that Switzerland would become "somewhat dependent" on the USA. [24] | The dependency is far more serious than "somewhat": No legal recourse, no dispute resolution mechanism, FMS system without negotiating room. [6] |
Assessment: Hurter is the only supporter who publicly conceded in 2025 that the EFK was right. His self-criticism ("In hindsight, we should have been more alert") does not exonerate him, however: In 2022 he actively tried to weaken the only institution that had correctly warned.
Sources: NZZ [74], Tages-Anzeiger [73], SRF [24], Blick [75]
Role: Member of the Council of States, member of the Security Policy Committee of the Council of States (SiK-S). Strong supporter of the F-35 procurement. [25]
Fact Check -- Promises vs. Reality:
| Topic | Statement by Salzmann | Factual Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Trust in Fixed Price | "The DDPS and Viola Amherd always assured us that Switzerland could buy the F-35 at a fixed price." (Tages-Anzeiger, 04.03.2025) [76] | Fixed price collapsed. Salzmann relied on DDPS assurances without conducting his own review. |
| Repeated Inquiries | "We kept asking, and the DDPS kept assuring us that these were fixed prices." (Republik, 27.06.2025) [66] | "Inquiries" without access to the contracts were worthless -- parliamentary oversight failed. |
| Delay Risk | "The DDPS told us the delays only affect countries that ordered before us." (2024) [77] | Not a single F-35 was delivered on schedule in 2024. Average delay: 238 days. Swiss deliveries also affected. [47] |
| Quantity 36 | "I am disappointed that the Federal Council did not have the courage to order 36 combat aircraft." (December 2025) [8] | The financial framework allows for a maximum of approx. 30 jets. Salzmann continues to demand 36 -- unrealistic. |
Assessment: Typical pattern of an uncritical supporter: Complete trust in DDPS assurances, ignoring EFK warnings, disappointment instead of self-criticism when problems materialized.
Role: Member of the Council of States, led the pro-combat aircraft campaign for the 2020 popular vote. Pushed for acceleration in the Council of States in 2022. [26]
Fact Check -- Promises vs. Reality:
| Topic | Statement by Burkart | Factual Situation |
|---|---|---|
| CHF 6 Billion Campaign | Led the yes campaign with the message: Maximum CHF 6 billion, as enshrined in the voter information booklet. (September 2020) [78] | The CHF 6 billion cost ceiling has collapsed. The electorate was committed to a ceiling that cannot be maintained. |
| "Cheapest" Jet | "The type now chosen is the cheapest in terms of price and best meets the requirements." [26] | With additional costs of up to CHF 1.3 billion, the price advantage over competing offers has been largely eroded. [4][5] |
| Acceleration | Supported the line of not delaying the procurement through European policy considerations. (02.06.2022, Council of States) [79] | The forced haste led to the contract being signed without a dispute resolution mechanism and without a reliable fixed-price guarantee. |
| Change of Position 2025 | "If we push this through, I fear we will jeopardize the credibility of popular votes." Calls for a new popular vote on additional credit. (NZZ, 18.09.2025) [80] | Notable: The only prominent centre-right supporter to acknowledge the cost overrun as a democratic problem -- media question his motives (Federal Council candidacy). |
Assessment: Most spectacular case. As campaign leader he promised a CHF 6 billion cost ceiling and drove the acceleration. His change of position in 2025 is regarded by critics as a tactical manoeuvre.
Sources: NZZ [80], swissinfo [78], Weltwoche [81]
Role: National Councillor, member of the Control Committee of the National Council (GPK-N). [27]
Fact Check: Despite extensive research, no direct public quotes from de Courten regarding the F-35 procurement could be found. This is itself a finding: As a GPK-N member, he would have had a special responsibility for parliamentary oversight.
| Topic | Action | Factual Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Parliamentary Oversight | No publicly documented critical statements on the F-35 procurement or the fixed price. | The GPK-N did not decide on a formal inspection until July 2025 -- when the fixed-price debacle could no longer be ignored. [35] |
| SVP Party Line | Voted with the SVP faction unanimously for the procurement on 15.09.2022 (124:66). [52] | Supported the procurement without recognizably conducting his own review. |
Assessment: Failure of the oversight function through omission. His public silence combined with his vote of approval is problematic.
Role: National Councillor, GLP faction president. Member of the committee for the new combat aircraft F-35. Gave the procurement cross-party legitimacy. [28]
Fact Check -- Promises vs. Reality:
| Topic | Statement by Gredig | Factual Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-Party Support | Supported the procurement despite general GLP scepticism (2020/2021). [28] | The procurement is proving to be significantly more problematic than presented. Gredig's support gave the project cross-party legitimacy. |
| Contract Criticism (retroactive) | "The contract should have included a dispute resolution mechanism -- as demanded by the EFK." (25.06.2025) [82] | Correct analysis, but only expressed after the fixed price collapsed. During the procurement phase in 2022, the EFK was also criticized by GLP parliamentarians. |
| Demand to Federal Council | "The Federal Council must not cave in to the USA." Criticized armasuisse for making accusations against the EFK. (25.06.2025) [83] | Justified, but the contractual situation hardly allows Switzerland to "not cave in" to the USA. |
Assessment: Special role: Retroactive criticism of the missing dispute resolution mechanism is substantively correct and more differentiated than the reactions of other supporters. The question remains why this criticism did not come in 2022.
Sources: blue News [82], watson [83], Tages-Anzeiger [28]
Role: Sharpest and most persistent parliamentary critic of the F-35 procurement. Current chair of the Security Policy Committee of the National Council (SiK-N). Co-initiator of the "Stop F-35" initiative. [29]
Parliamentary Motions: Interpellation 21.3148 ("US ITAR Legislation. Finally Clarity about Switzerland's Dependencies"). [84]
Fact Check -- Warning vs. Reality:
| Warning | Statement by Seiler Graf | Confirmed? |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed price unsustainable | "I was always convinced that the lie would eventually come out. This is exactly how it always goes with US arms sales." (since 2021) [85] | Fully confirmed. June 2025: USA speaks of "misunderstanding," additional costs CHF 650 million to 1.3 billion. [6][4] |
| US Dependency | "The F-35 is the wrong type for Switzerland because we are entering into a major dependency on the USA." (Interpellation 21.3148, 2021) [84] | Fully confirmed. Trump tariffs (39%), no legal recourse in disputes. [60] |
| Budget insufficient | "It is realistic that the approved funds will not even be enough for 30 combat aircraft." (2025) [86] | Fully confirmed. December 2025: Federal Council decides on fewer than 36 jets. [8] |
| Parliament deceived | "Were Parliament and the public deliberately lied to?" (2025) [87] | Confirmed. EFK warned in 2022, armasuisse rejected the warning, contract signed without clarification. [62] |
Sources: SRF [85], NZZ [86], blue News [87], parlament.ch [84]
Role: Conducted the most precise parliamentary preparatory work on the fixed-price issue. Her Interpellation 21.4116 is considered the key warning document. [30]
Parliamentary Motions: Interpellation 21.4116 ("F-35 Procurement. Best possible estimated target prices or binding fixed prices?"), Interpellation 21.4546 (Pilot training), Question 22.7482 (Kerosene price). [88][89][90]
Fact Check -- Warning vs. Reality:
| Warning | Statement by Roth | Confirmed? |
|---|---|---|
| No binding fixed prices possible | Asked on 29.09.2021 whether the USA could only offer "best possible estimates" and whether Switzerland would bear all cost increases. (Interpellation 21.4116) [88] | Fully confirmed. Exactly this happened: No fixed price, Switzerland bears additional costs. [6] |
| F-35 not in serial production | F-35 had not achieved "Full Rate Production," was being produced in low-rate initial production. (2021) [91] | Fully confirmed. TR-3 delivery stop 2023--2024, over 100 jets in storage, software massively delayed. [47] |
| Kerosene costs unrealistic | Described the kerosene price of CHF 1.32/liter as "sensationally low." (Question 22.7482, June 2022) [90] | Confirmed. Operating costs are massively above estimates, Denmark +50% above expectation. [43] |
| "Fiscal misadventure" | Described the F-35 purchase as a "fiscal misadventure." (2021) [92] | Fully confirmed. Additional costs CHF 650 million--1.3 billion, quantity reduced. [4][8] |
Sources: parlament.ch [88][89][90], SP Switzerland [91], Blick [92]
Role: Warned early and publicly about life-cycle costs and US dependency. Member of the "Stop F-35" initiative committee. [31]
Fact Check -- Warning vs. Reality:
| Warning | Statement by Schlatter | Confirmed? |
|---|---|---|
| Exploding operating costs | "Numerous buyer countries report deficiencies and exploding operating costs." (Blog, 30.09.2021) [93] | Fully confirmed. GAO 2024: Life-cycle costs exceed USD 2 trillion (+17.7%). Denmark: +50%. [43][45] |
| Unclear binding nature | Asked: What does "binding" mean? Are they estimates? "It is a lot of money. It is a lot of taxpayer francs." (Blog, 30.09.2021) [93] | Fully confirmed. The offer was not binding. Additional costs CHF 650 million--1.3 billion. [4][6] |
| Major US dependency | "All these arguments pale before the one of major dependency on the US arms industry and the US military." (Blog, 30.09.2021) [93] | Fully confirmed. Trump tariffs, no legal recourse, US government not willing to negotiate. [60][70] |
| Engine problems known | The problems had been "known for a long time." (SRF, July 2024) [94] | Fully confirmed. Engine renewal needed shortly after acquisition, additional costs CHF 430 million. [55] |
Sources: marionnaschlatter.ch [93], SRF [94]
Role: Focused his criticism on the offset deals (industrial compensation) and the regional distribution of contracts. [32]
Parliamentary Motions: Question 21.7979 ("F-35 and Offset Deals"). [95]
Fact Check -- Warning vs. Reality:
| Warning | Statement by Fivaz | Confirmed? |
|---|---|---|
| Offset deals problematic | Questioned the distribution of offset deals: "If the contracts with SR Technics and RUAG are confirmed, nothing will be left for the Romandie." (Question 21.7979, 2021) [95] | Fully confirmed. Offset deals are lagging behind: gap of over CHF 200 million. Offset costs: USD 700--800 million. [40] |
| RUAG dependency questionable | "With the spin-off of RUAG International and its sale, there is no longer any argument for independence." (2021) [95] | Fully confirmed. RUAG scandal (fraud case), PUK demand, RUAG Project RIGI particularly at risk. [41] |
| Lack of transparency | Criticized the lack of transparency regarding offset costs. [32] | Fully confirmed. Transparency only after June 2025. [66] |
Sources: parlament.ch [95], Tages-Anzeiger [96], SRF [97]
Role: Was among the first to warn about the security policy dependency. Calls most consistently for a procurement halt. Motion 25.3379 ("Procurement halt F-35"), faction initiative 25.414 (PUK DDPS). [33]
Fact Check -- Warning vs. Reality:
| Warning | Statement by Glaettli | Confirmed? |
|---|---|---|
| "Scandal procurement" | "That the centre-right majority continues to back such a scandal procurement is outrageous." (SiK-N, 2025) [98] | Fully confirmed. Fixed-price debacle, additional costs confirmed, Federal Council yields in dispute with USA. [69][70] |
| Dependency on Trump | "The F-35 does not make us safer, but more dependent on Trump and Vance." (2025) [99] | Fully confirmed. Trump tariffs 39%, erratic behavior, no willingness to negotiate on F-35 price. [60][70] |
| Further cost increases | "Further cost increases are looming." Demanded an immediate halt to installment payments. (2025) [98] | Fully confirmed. Further additional costs for hangars (+CHF 50 million), total costs could exceed CHF 10 billion. [69] |
| "Procurement at any price" | "Is this culpably credulous blind flight? Or is the procurement literally being pushed through at any price?" (2025) [99] | Confirmed. Centre-right majority rejected all motions for investigations in SiK-N, despite the fixed-price debacle. [98] |
Sources: balthasar-glaettli.ch [99], Tages-Anzeiger [98], Handelsblatt [100]
| Warning | Who Warned? | Confirmed? |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed price unsustainable | Seiler Graf, Roth, Schlatter | Yes -- USA speaks of "misunderstanding" (June 2025) |
| Additional costs CHF 650 million--1.3 billion | Seiler Graf, Roth | Yes -- confirmed by DDPS (June 2025) |
| Quantity falls below 36 | Seiler Graf | Yes -- Federal Council decides on reduction (Dec. 2025) |
| EFK warning ignored | Roth (Interpellation 21.4116 supported EFK position) | Yes -- EFK warned in 2022, was rejected |
| Availability problematic | Schlatter | Yes -- 51.5% MC rate (GAO 2024) |
| US dependency dangerous | Seiler Graf, Schlatter, Glaettli | Yes -- Trump tariffs, no legal recourse |
| TR-3/Block 4 delayed | Roth (serial production warning) | Yes -- delivery stop 2023--2024 |
| Operating costs significantly higher | Schlatter, Roth | Yes -- Denmark +50%, GAO +17.7% |
| Offset problems | Fivaz | Yes -- gap over CHF 200 million |
The Security Policy Committees of both chambers accompanied the evaluation and recommended the commitment credit to Parliament. The US Ambassador confirmed the "fixed price" before the SiK-N in 2022 -- a representation that was revised by the USA in 2025 as a "misunderstanding." [6]
September 2022: GPK-N report confirmed the evaluation as "lawful" and "objective, comprehensible." The F-35 had "far outpaced" the competition in price-performance ratio. [34]
July 2025: The same GPK-N decided on an inspection due to the fixed-price fiasco and is examining whether "deficiencies in the Federal Council's governance can be identified retrospectively." [35]
Oversees federal finances and has been increasingly involved in the F-35 cost issue since 2024. [36]
Launched the Stop F-35 initiative on 31 August 2021. After collecting over 100,000 signatures and submission on 16 August 2022, the initiative was withdrawn -- described as a "democratic farce," since the Federal Council had the contract signed before a possible vote could take place. [37]
Actively supported the F-35 procurement and argued for technological superiority. [38]
Umbrella organization of the Swiss aerospace industry. Accompanied the offset negotiations and emphasized the industrial significance of the offset deals. [39]
Manufacturer of the F-35. Committed to 60% offset (approx. CHF 2.9 billion). Realized by 2024: CHF 2.683 billion -- a gap of CHF 217 million. [40]
Swiss defence company. Key offset partner with the RIGI project (4 F-35A final assembly in Switzerland). [41]
Note on operating cost figures: Operating costs are based on third-party data. Since neither the calculation methodology, the exact time of data collection, nor the full scope of costs are known, the informative value is limited accordingly.
| Person | Function | Departure | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darko Savic | F-35 Program Manager | Move to Pilatus (offset recipient) | 8 Jan. 2025 -- before additional costs became public [17] |
| Viola Amherd | Head of DDPS | Resignation from Federal Council | 15 Jan. 2025 [2] |
| Thomas Suessli | Chief of the Armed Forces | Resignation | 30 Jan. 2025 [10] |
| Christian Dussey | Director FIS | Resignation | 20 Jan. 2025 [10] |
| Peter Merz | Air Force Commander | CEO Skyguide | Sept. 2025 -- before quantity reduction [61] |
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| May 2017 | Expert report "Air Defence of the Future" [48] |
| Nov. 2017 | Federal Council decides on renewal (max. CHF 8 billion) [49] |
| Jan. 2019 | First offers submitted to armasuisse [50] |
| Dec. 2019 | Parliament approves planning resolution (NR: 123:68, SR: 33:10) [51] |
| 30.06.2021 | Type decision: 36 F-35A for CHF 6.035 billion [1] |
| 18.05.2022 | EFK report warns of missing fixed price [21] |
| 15.09.2022 | National Council approves commitment credit (124:66) [52] |
| 19.09.2022 | Contract signing (Sonderegger/Savic) [15] |
| Sept. 2022 | Stop F-35 initiative withdrawn [37] |
| Aug. 2023 | Sonderegger retires, Loher takes over [16] |
| 2024 | TR-3/Block 4 delays, GAO reports on costs [45] [47] |
| Aug. 2024 | USA first signals additional costs during Loher's visit [66] |
| Jan. 2025 | Savic departure, Amherd resignation, Suessli resignation [2] [10] [17] |
| Feb. 2025 | USA: Fixed price was a "misunderstanding" [6] |
| April 2025 | Forrer takes over as program manager, Pfister becomes DDPS chief [7][18] |
| June 2025 | Loher: Additional costs CHF 650 million to 1.3 billion [69] |
| July 2025 | GPK-N decides on inspection [35] |
| Aug. 2025 | US Defense Secretary Hegseth: USA will not budge [70] |
| Dec. 2025 | Federal Council: fewer than 36 jets, CHF 6 billion budget remains [8] |
[1] Admin.ch, Media Release, 30.06.2021. Type decision F-35A.
[2] 20 Minuten, 15.01.2025. Amherd announces resignation.
[3] Parlament.ch, Amherd interview, 15.09.2022.
[4] SRF, "Switzerland faces additional costs of over one billion francs."
[5] NZZ, "So much for the fixed price: Switzerland to pay significantly more than 6 billion."
[6] NZZ, Feb. 2025. "Fixed price from the Americans' perspective a misunderstanding."
[7] Various sources on the election of Pfister, April 2025.
[8] SRF, Dec. 2025. "Switzerland procures fewer F-35 than originally planned."
[9] DDPS, Media release on the appointment of Suessli, 2019.
[10] Tages-Anzeiger, "Army chief Suessli and FIS director Dussey have resigned," Jan./Feb. 2025.
[11] Various sources on the appointment of Roos, 2025/2026.
[12] Various sources on the appointment of Oppliger, October 2025.
[13] DDPS, Air Force leadership information.
[14] DDPS, Organizational chart Security Policy.
[15] Tages-Anzeiger, 19.09.2022. "Contract for the procurement of F-35 jets signed."
[16] armasuisse, Media release on the appointment of Loher, August 2023.
[17] Tages-Anzeiger, 08.01.2025. Savic moves to Pilatus.
[18] armasuisse, Appointment of Marco Forrer, April 2025.
[19] Swiss Info, "Fixed price for F-35: Disputed between Switzerland and USA."
[20] DSCA/US Government, Correspondence on cost overruns, 2025.
[21] EFK, Report 21410, 18.05.2022. "No legal certainty for fixed price."
[22] SRF, "Federal Audit Office and armasuisse clash over F-35 price."
[23] Various media, 2025. Hurter: "The EFK was right."
[24] Bluewin, 15.09.2022. National Council debate.
[25] Parliamentary statements by Salzmann, SiK-S, 2021-2022.
[26] Various sources on Burkart's change of position, 2025.
[27] Parliamentary statements by de Courten (SVP), 2022.
[28] GLP/Gredig positioning, 2021-2022.
[29] Parliamentary motions by Seiler Graf (SP), SiK-N, 2021-2025.
[30] Parliamentary motions by Roth (SP), 2021-2024.
[31] Parliamentary motions by Schlatter (Greens), 2022-2024.
[32] Parliamentary motions by Fivaz (Greens), SiK-N, 2022-2024.
[33] Glaettli statements on the F-35, 2021-2023.
[34] NZZ, 09.09.2022. GPK report on the evaluation.
[35] Parlament.ch, 01.07.2025. GPK-N media release on the inspection.
[36] FinDel, Protocols 2024-2025.
[37] GSoA, "The Stop F-35 Initiative: From Launch to Suppression."
[38]/) Pro Air Force and SOG, Position papers 2021-2022.
[39] Aerosuisse, Statements on offset, 2021-2022.
[40] Muula.ch, "Offset deals for F-35 lagging behind."
[41] RUAG, Information on Project RIGI.
[42] Aargauer Zeitung, "So much for guaranteed low F-35 operating costs."
[43] Tages-Anzeiger, "Will the F-35 ultimately cost more than 10 billion?"
[44] Blick, "Does Switzerland face the same? Half of F-35 jets grounded in the US."
[45] GAO, Report GAO-24-106703, April 2024. F-35 Sustainment.
[46] armasuisse, FAQ F-35A.
[47] NZZ, "F-35 faces further delays."
[48] DDPS, May 2017. Expert report Air Defence of the Future.
[49] SRF, Chronology of the F-35 procurement.
[50] armasuisse, FAQ F-35A. Offer procedure.
[51] Tages-Anzeiger, Dec. 2019. Parliamentary resolution.
[52] Parlament.ch, 15.09.2022. National Council decision.
[53] Watson / Tages-Anzeiger / Zuger Zeitung, March 2025. Merz LinkedIn post and interviews.
[54] SRF, "Low operating costs guaranteed for only 10 years."
[55] SRF, "Switzerland must bear additional costs for F-35 engines."
[56] NZZ, 26.09.2025. "US Government Accountability Office on the F-35."
[57] 20 Minuten, "Nothing more than a very expensive prototype" -- armasuisse statement.
[58] CBO, June 2025. "Availability and Costs of F-35."
[59] Zueriost, 07.11.2021. "We have the data under control."
[60] Handelsblatt, "Swiss against F-35 due to tariff dispute." Trump tariffs 39%.
[61] NZZ, 12.09.2025. Interview Peter Merz: "The procurement is not a debacle!"
[62] SRF, 2025. Former EFK Director Huissoud: "That could have been done in one hour."
[63] Admin.ch, Media release 19.09.2022. Contract signing.
[64] cockpit.aero, "Air2030 program manager Darko Savic moves to Pilatus."
[65] swiss-f35.ch, "Pilatus gains access to F-35A technology through offset agreement."
[66] Republik, 27.06.2025. "The billion-franc misunderstanding."
[67] NZZ, 26.07.2025. Interview Urs Loher: "For me, it was a mystery."
[68] Tages-Anzeiger, "Lawyers could be held liable." (Prof. Kunz on Homburger legal opinion)
[69] NZZ, 25.06.2025. Press conference Loher: "A contract is a contract."
[70] Watson, 13.08.2025. "Fixed price is off the table." Hegseth meeting with Pfister.
[71] 20 Minuten, 12.12.2025. Press conference Pfister/Loher.
[72] SRF Samstagsrundschau, 05.07.2025. "How naive may one be as an armaments buyer, Mr. Loher?"
[73] Tages-Anzeiger, 11.07.2022. "The Federal Audit Office should be strengthened, not weakened." (Hurter motion to privatize EFK)
[74] NZZ, 03.09.2025. Interview Thomas Hurter: "Every time someone asked, the DDPS reacted almost aggressively."
[75] Blick, 03.09.2025. "SVP National Councillor Hurter always doubted the fixed price for combat aircraft."
[76] Watson, 04.03.2025. "Parliamentarians scrutinize the purchase of US combat aircraft." (Salzmann quote)
[77] SRF, 2024. "Schedule uncertainty in F-35 delivery." (DDPS reassurance to Salzmann)
[78] swissinfo, Sept. 2020. "Broadly supported committee launches campaign for new combat aircraft." (Burkart as campaign leader)
[79] parlament.ch, 02.06.2022. Official Bulletin Council of States, Army Dispatch 22.005 debate.
[80] NZZ, 18.09.2025. "Should the people vote again?" (Burkart change of position)
[81] Weltwoche, Sept. 2025. "Burkart wants new vote on F-35 combat aircraft."
[82] blue News, 25.06.2025. "Politicians react to F-35 costs." (Gredig: Dispute resolution mechanism)
[83] watson, 25.06.2025. "F-35 purchase becomes more expensive -- politicians react." (Gredig: "Federal Council must not cave in")
[84] parlament.ch, Business 21.3148. Interpellation Seiler Graf: "US ITAR Legislation."
[85] SRF, 2025. "F-35 costs: Parliament demands clarification from DDPS." (Seiler Graf)
[86] NZZ, 2025. "Seiler Graf demands alternatives to the F-35."
[87] blue News, 2025. "Were Parliament and the public deliberately lied to?" (Seiler Graf)
[88] parlament.ch, Business 21.4116. Interpellation Roth: "F-35 Procurement. Best possible estimated target prices or binding fixed prices?"
[89] parlament.ch, Business 21.4546. Interpellation Roth: "Pilot training PC-21 on F-35?"
[90] parlament.ch, Business 22.7482. Question Roth: "F-35A with sensationally low kerosene price of CHF 1.32 per liter?"
[91] SP Switzerland, 2021. "Correction regarding the allegedly existing serial production readiness of the F-35."
[92] Blick, 2025. "F-35 billion-franc money pit looming? SP Roth demands consequences."
[93] marionnaschlatter.ch, 30.09.2021. Blog post "The F-35 Combat Aircraft: A Wrong Decision."
[94] SRF, July 2024. "Switzerland must bear additional costs for F-35 engines." (Schlatter: "known for a long time")
[95] parlament.ch, Business 21.7979. Question Fivaz: "F-35 and Offset Deals."
[96] Tages-Anzeiger, 2025. "Combat jet deal: New trouble for Amherd and RUAG." (Offset problems)
[97] SRF, 2025. "Federal government pays up to 800 million for offset deals in jet purchase."
[98] Tages-Anzeiger, 2025. "F-35: All left-wing motions defeated in committee." (Glaettli quotes SiK-N)
[99] balthasar-glaettli.ch, 2025. "Procurement halt for F-35 and RUAG PUK."
[100] Handelsblatt, 2025. "Swiss politicians no longer want to buy F-35 due to tariff dispute."
Detailed source research with complete URLs: see recherche/PRP-013_Macher_Air2030_Projekt_Quellen.md in the repository.
This wiki is based on publicly accessible sources, official government documents, and recognized trade journals. As of: February 2026.
The complete Federal Council responses to all parliamentary affairs are documented under Federal Council Responses on F-35 Procurement.